Involve us in Zim-Asset implementation: Workers

Farirai Machivenyika Senior Reporter— Zimbabwean workers today join their counterparts the world over in commemorating Workers’ Day. This comes as workers countrywide have implored the Government to involve them in the implementation of Zim-Asset to ensure they benefit from the spin-offs. Said Zimbabwe Federation of Trade Unions secretary-general Mr Kennias Shamuyarira: “We are going to join the rest of the world in commemorating Workers’ Day tomorrow (today) under the theme, ‘Workers united, informed, more informed and ready to embrace Zim-Asset programmes’. We have realised President Mugabe has come up with a number of noble economic blueprints and programmes that are favourable to workers and peasants, but has been let down by some of the ministers and employers when it comes to the implementation.

“That is why our call will be to demand space in decision making at every level — be it boards of companies or hold equity in those organisations.”

He said most public and private enterprises were being run by people bent on amassing wealth at the expense of workers.

“Look at the rot that was exposed at ZBC, PSMAS, Zesa and local authorities among others. It shows that these institutions are being run by neo-liberals who are interested in self-enrichment that is why we are saying it’s high time that workers actively participate in these organisations,” he said.

Mr Shamuyarira said they would hold their main celebrations at Stanley Square in Makokoba, Bulawayo, while other commemorations would be held at various centres countrywide.

The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions will hold its celebrations under the theme: “Workers under siege, arise and fight on”.

ZCTU secretary-general Mr Japhet Moyo, said they had chosen the theme due to the various challenges being faced by the workers.

“ZCTU is going to join the rest of the world in commemorating May Day and we are going to be gathering in 18 centres across the country. We have chosen the theme that we have because of the utterances by some of our colleagues in Government and the private sector to say let’s freeze salaries.

“It is our view that workers are under attack that is why we have chosen this theme,” he said.

Mr Moyo said their main celebrations will be held at Gwanzura Stadium in Harare.